Mum defends controversial swimming video "To me, I'm protecting her"

Mum slammed for video showing her baby struggling to stay afloat in a swimming pool has hit back saying she was only teaching her daughter to “self rescue” after her son drowned.

Keri Morrison, who lost her son Jake in a tragic drowning accident when he was just two years old, said she doesn’t want her daughter Josie to have to go through the same ordeal.

A video uploaded on Facebook captioned “so hard to watch but every kid should learn this young” shows Josie, who was six-months-old at the time, on the steps of a pool being lured by a toy in the water clearly out of her reach.

WARNING – some viewers may find this video disturbing

The little one falls face-first into the water and begins to sink but quickly flips herself over and floats back up to the surface.

The clip sparked outrage online with many viewers saying they found it difficult to watch.

Keri told Fox News: “To me, I’m protecting her and that is what a mother is supposed to do protect her.

“I feel like I failed my son and I’m not going to fail my daughters.”

She added: “To see her face above the water at such a young age and know what to do.

“One of the things I really struggle with is that my son fell in the water not knowing what to do.

“And that thought and vision fires me up to make sure that not just my children but children all over are safe and can do this in the water.”

Keri wants the world to know Josie is SAFE and the controversy can stop! Live Like Jake is saving lives in Jakes name! Prevention is key to stop drownings and one by one Keri is doing just that.

fb keri

I must admit I did find it hard to watch at first. I am glad Keri explains the technique.

Share your comments below.

Image via Facebook

14 Comments

- - meedee said
  - 10 May 2016
    11:02 pm
Its great that she knows to flip on to her back but at the same time I feel its sad that she knows people are there that could help her and shes making sounds to let them know shes not happy but they take their time coming to her aid. It also sounds like she has inhaled some water which could be an issue. I think it would be better to get her soon after she filps to her back and shows she can do it…dont just leave her there.

- - june11 said
  - 10 May 2016
    10:35 pm
If you do this you have your hands ready to lift your baby immediately if necessary. Not sitting or standing at a distance filming. You can’t even see the reflection of the person filming.

- - sharna_booth_weinrowski said
  - 10 May 2016
    12:58 pm
i just couldnt watch all of this…. i guess each to their own

- - mom113991 said
  - 10 May 2016
    6:30 am
Her intentions are good and I can see why she did it. People are always so quick to judge what others are doing wrong.

- - Lizbef said
  - 10 May 2016
    5:58 am
I’m surprised it’s caused this much controversy. It’s a very common practice in teaching babies to float and swim and could very easily save a life

- - mom134803 said
  - 10 May 2016
    4:30 am
I can understand her motives and can appreciate this technique.

- - Nas01 said
  - 09 May 2016
    11:38 pm
Her technique is extrem but her intentions are very well warranted. I can’t begin to imagine what loosing a child would feel like but I know I would do anything in my power to never let it happen again.

- - mum4107 said
  - 09 May 2016
    10:39 pm
It is very traumatic to lose a child. I don’t encourage what she has done. But I haven’t been in her shoes

- - youngoldlady said
  - 09 May 2016
    8:47 pm
This helps save a life then it is worth it. As long as the person teaching it knows what they are doing and keeps an eye on the child. This is no way an excuse not to watch but it is knowledge knowing that your child can help themselves and not struggle. Those few seconds can save a life.

- - mom81879 said
  - 09 May 2016
    8:34 pm
It is hard to watch and a rather extreme teaching method, but if it saves a life from drowning, surely it’s worth it?

- - mom160421 said
  - 09 May 2016
    6:20 pm
I think the method is extreme, but as a parent she’s doing what she thinks is right. I would not do this to a baby.

- - mom90758 said
  - 09 May 2016
    6:15 pm
It must have been so terrible for her losing her first child. I don’t think I would able to do what she does with her daughter though.

- - BellaB said
  - 09 May 2016
    4:57 pm
I’m not sure about the technique, but I sympathise with her purpose.

- - mom165081 said
  - 09 May 2016
    4:49 pm
The trauma of losing a child to drowning must be extreme. I can understand her wanting to do whatever to takes to ensure her younger child is safe ion the water.